Round Lake's Magee Middle School hosts mini relay

John T. Magee Middle School in Round Lake recently hosted a smaller version of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

All students took part in a miniature relay. A student organization, Tied to Awareness, sponsored the event, which included four laps around the school and surrounding property.

This year's mini relay raised $600 through "candy grams," sponsoring a hat day and selling bracelets that said "Hope for a Cure."

Tied to Awareness began three years ago when a student approached Magee Middle School teacher Michelle Hill about wanting to make a difference in honoring those who she had lost to cancer and to help make others aware of the disease.

Last year, another student spoke to Hill about organizing the small relay.

"The intention of this event was not only to make students aware of cancer, but also to educate them about preventive measures they can take to keep themselves healthy with nutritional choices, physical activity and limiting exposure to the sun," Hill said.

Students decorated a luminaria bag that was placed in the middle of the gym floor in the shape of a ribbon. This activity represented the cause by remembering, honoring and creating a special message on the bag.

Inspirational messages were created by the pupils as well. The luminaria bags will be placed at the Relay For Life scheduled July 19-20 at Round Lake High School.